At times, it really
sounds like Plans Plans are on to something with Col.
Williamsburg. Jerky, extravagant instrumental "Birds of Prey" is
balls-out fun in a sort of Pell Mell meets Don Caballero
way, while the vaguely psychedelic opening of "Within a Hart's
Heart" is strangely rad. Sadly, though, the majority of this album
falls flat. In all their attempts to be arty and unconventional, the
people behind Plans Plans have created an uninteresting
record that lacks personality. The emphasis is on the instruments -
several of the tracks don't have words at all - but the band's brand
of off-kilter guitar high jinks quickly forfeits the listener's
attention. When there are vocals they are uninspired, offering
nothing to better the album and often sabotaging those songs with
potential ("Dream Troll," abysmal "One to Grow In"). Maybe things
would be improved if even one of the band members could sing with
any sort of tunefulness instead of just talk-chanting senselessly.
Sadly, even the record's high energy mantra doesn't salvage this
affair - enthusiasm can only go so far, and it in no way saves this
effort. In their attempts to be interesting and experimental,
Plans Plans have recorded an album that few will choose to sit
through.